Climate change is an undeniable reality that is transforming our planet accelerated. One of the most worrying effects is the increase in sea level, a direct consequence of global warming and the thaw of polar caps. Spain, with its More than 8,000 kilometers of coastis in a vulnerable position before this phenomenon, which threatens to redefine its geography in the next decades.
According to the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), the rhythm at which sea level increases in Spain has doubled in the last 20 years. This increase is mainly due to the thaw of Greenland and Antarctica, as well as the thermal expansion of ocean water. Even if greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced, sea level increase will continue for centuries due to the inertia of the climate system.
Spain is especially susceptible to the effects of the increase in sea level. Recent studies indicate that cities such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Cádiz and Barcelona could experience considerable increases at sea level by 2080. This phenomenon would not only affect urban areas, but also vital ecosystems such as the Doñana Natural Park and the Albufera of Valencia, which could be seriously affected or even disappear under the waters.
Besides, The erosion of the beaches It is a direct consequence of the increase in sea level. In Catalonia, for example, the beaches have retreated considerably since 1945.
Economic and social consequences
The economic impact of sea level increase in Spain is significant. A study published in Scientific Reports estimates that, without adaptation measures, Losses could reach 50,000 million euros By the end of the century, representing a 0.88% drop of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The most affected autonomous communities would be Galicia, Cantabria and the Basque Country, due to their extensive coastal line and population density in vulnerable areas.
Therefore, experts agree on the urgent need to implement adaptation and mitigation policies, developing comprehensive strategies to reduce Spain’s vulnerability to sea level. This includes from the Urban planning to the protection of coastal ecosystems.
Measures in Spain
Faced with this panorama, it is crucial to implement adaptation strategies that mitigate the effects of climate change in coastal areas. The Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge has developed the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change (PNACC) 2021-2030, which constitutes the basic planning instrument to promote coordinated action against the effects of climate change in Spain.